The Front Row

I very much believe the Buckeyes should take a quarterback in the Class of 2013. I want to see four quarterbacks on the roster. With Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones and Kenny Guiton in the fold, we need to add another. I do not like the current mix.

Guiton was always a reach. He was option No. 3 last year behind Joe Bauserman and a true freshman. Even after Bauserman proved he did not belong on the field it still took weeks for Guiton to be named the back-up. With competent people around him I think he can get somewhat better. But Guiton is not a starting quarterback at this level. The importance of good quarterback play for this style of offense cannot be emphasized enough. Getting another starting-caliber talent into the mix is crucial. I think there are in-state options.

*A couple of days ago I probably do not have Kettering Alter’s Malik Zaire as my No. 1 quarterback. I just saw his most recent film and has he ever come along as a passer. He threw pretty well when I last saw him but he needed a lot of work. He still needs more reps than most quarterbacks coming out of high school but he is not nearly as far away from being a potential starter as he was the last time I saw him. I see a player who has improved his motion. It was good before. Many athletic quarterbacks are not nearly so sound. Miller was. So is Zaire. Now I see a kid who has taken another step in his development. He is getting his hand over top of the ball more now. He is following through better. He always had a good arm and such great feet. I think we could see another national quarterback from Ohio with Zaire.

*Have you heard the name Brogan Roback from Toledo St. John’s? You will before this process is over. A few days ago I would have had him No. 1 on this list. He is that good. He is the most versatile quarterback in the class. He is such a good pure passer he can go to any school that wants a pocket passer. Excellent arm. Very accurate. Even at 6-foot-4, he is athletic enough to run the spread. Before you get too far into thinking about Miller and Zaire, keep in mind that Tim Tebow was probably the most effective spread quarterback we have seen so far and San Francisco 49ers starter Alex Smith was drafted No. 1 overall out of Utah. Roback is the most underrated player in Ohio. I don't think that will last.

*I love Tommy Tupa from Brecksville. He reminds me of a bigger, stronger and better Jake Plummer of Arizona State, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos fame. He puts so much pressure on the defense. He is such an aggressive quarterback. He is not the best fit for a spread but that does not mean he cannot move. He moves great for a pocket passer. He throws very well on the run. I don't see him running the zone read or the quarterback draw but he runs so well that when the pocket breaks down the defense’s problems just got worse. He had a collarbone injury that kept him out for a while but still put together a good looking film.

*I have yet to mention Kent Roosevelt's Tra'Von Chapman. He is still an athlete on my board. He does not throw as well as my top three but by the time he has the same number of reps the others do, he just might. Time will tell. Right now Chapman is a very special athlete. He is so special there is every reason to recruit him because he is an Ohio State-caliber athlete. Recruit him as a quarterback. If he shows he can be the passer the system needs, great. You have another starting caliber player at the most important position on the field. If not, he is surely good enough to be a flanker/slot/wingback at a Big Five school. Focusing on getting better as a passer should be his focus in the offseason. Get to as many camps as possible. Too bad we do not have spring football in Ohio high schools. The caliber of players particularly at quarterback would get a significant boost. No prospect in Ohio could get more out of spring football than Chapman.

*I think there is a better chance Middletown’s Jalin Marshall gets a shot at quarterback under Urban Meyer than Jim Tressel. I don't see him as a college quarterback. I would like to see him get out there to wingback and start learning the position as quickly as possible but getting him here is the most important thing. If that means giving him the opportunity to fail first at quarterback, it is worth it. Marshall is that kind of talent. He has a better chance to be a quarterback in Meyer’s spread, so maybe he shows he can play quarterback. I do not think he will be. I believe Chapman is more likely to stay at quarterback than Marshall.